Future of Maine Enterprise Scholarships
2027 and Beyond

Questions & Answers for Students

Who can apply for an enterprise scholarship?
Any past Future of Maine Scholarship recipient now in grade 6 - 12 in a community currently participating in the Future of Maine program, or a student in one of these schools specifically recommended by a teacher, school counselor, or principal.

How are Enterprise Scholarships different from Ambition Scholarships and The Martindell Teaching Scholarship, the Chandler Ocean Scholarship, the Wolfberg Health Science Scholarship, and the Sterling Construction Scholarship?
All of those are now Enterprise Scholarships. They have not gone away. The format has changed a little. The fundamental difference is that applicants now need to communicate with an Advisory Committee of professionals for each scholarship before they start the process. They will have one mentor from their Advisory Committee and they will need to stay in touch with the mentor, and the committee, primarily by email, through the process of completing all six projects.

But can I have a local mentor? Someone I already know.
Yes, you can have a local mentor, and usually will have one, but you still need to have an mentor that is part of the Advisory Committee for your scholarship. Those scholarships are listed below. The mentor from the Enterprise Advisory Committee is likely to be able to ensure that the work you do will be at a level so that you will qualify for a scholarship. Also, this member of the Enterprise Advisory Committee will help you explore your opportunities in and beyond your local community.

How much are the scholarships for?
For each of the first five successfully completed project, a student is likely to receive $250 or $500. For the successful completion of all six projects, a student is likely to receive another $2500. So, successful completion of everything is likely to earn a student up to $5000. The student may find additional financial support from their Advisory Committee. So how do you know that your scholarship application will be successful? You work with a member of your Enterprise Advisory Committee – your Mentor.

How do I get my Enterprise Mentor?
Once you decide which scholarship you want to apply for, you contact Bob Stuart at bstuart@mainecollegecircle.org and he will share a little information about you with your Enterprise Advisory Committee, and they will match you with an Advisory Committee member. Your initial communication with that Advisory Committee member will go through your teacher. Not long after that, you will be connecting directly with the Advisory Committee member by email.

Who are the members of these Advisory Committees?
They are professionals, in the careers that interest you. Some of them may actually be in your community, but it is more likely that they will be somewhere else, and they will help you make connections to a larger world, and help you understand your opportunities in a larger world.

What can the scholarships be used for?
They are aspirations scholarships. That means that like the Future of Maine Aspiration Scholarships for students in grades 3 - 6, they can be used for costs of education beyond high school, and for programs and products that can help you pursue your aspirations today.

When are the applications due?
There are three deadlines each year: November 1, February 1, and April 1. You need to choose your deadline in advance.

Do I complete one of these projects each year or can I do them all in one year?
You can do one a year, or you can do as many as three a year. That means you could do all six over two years. That means you can't do all six in one year. Or, you could do one each year over six years.

What if my interests don't fit one of the scholarships?
Your interests probably do. But, we are working on adding several other scholarships over the next few months. If you think that your aspirations don't fit one of the scholarships, contact Bob Stuart to discuss this. If you aspire to start a daycare, you might work through the Martindell Teaching Scholarship or the Business Enterprise Scholarship, for example.

This seems like a lot of work. Is that right?
That is right. But, you are researching and working hard at something that you enjoy, and being successful in this career, or any career, will require a lot of hard work. The more hard work you do now, the more successful you will be in the future. And, $5000 sometimes takes some work.

What if I change my mind?
Over the past 28 years we have seen a few students who nailed it in third grade, but most change their minds. That is probably a good thing. If your aspirations change, it means you are thinking. You just need to include a transition statement, which explains why you think your new aspiration is likely to be better for you than your previous aspiration.

What do I need to do to earn these scholarships?
The general format for the application process for Enterprise Scholarships includes completing the following projects sequentially over at least two years:

Project 1: Skills and traits you have and need. State your aspirations. Which scholarship you are applying for. Research and interview professionals about the skills and traits needed, then interview friends, parents, educators, community members about whether they think you have those skills and traits, which ones you need to develop, and how you can develop them.

Project 2: Your values. A random major. Research a random college major assigned to you by Maine College Circle. It may or may not be of interest to you. Research what and where the major is, what careers it can lead to, where these careers are, and why this major and these careers would or wouldn’t be good for you.

Project 3: The Future. What is the future of the career that interests you? How will it change? How will the skills needed to be successful in the career change? Research and interview.

Project 4: The Pathway. Research and interview. What education, post high-school education, and other preparation will be important for this career that interests you? What, specifically, seem to be your best educational opportunities?

Project 5: Your Enterprise Plan. What? Where? When? How? Why? Develop this plan with a Scholarship Advisory Committee member.

Project 6: Your Enterprise Project for Your Future



So, what scholarships are available?

More information and the applications are available by clicking on the links below.

The Wolfberg Health Science Enterprise Scholarship
For students interested in a career in the health and medical profession, broadly defined.

The Martindell Teaching Enterprise Scholarship.
For students interested in a career in teaching.

The Sterling Builders Construction Enterprise Scholarship.
For students interested in a career in a construction-related field, plus architecture and engineering

The Chandler Ocean Enterprise Scholarship.
For students interested in marine science, marine biology, fishing, lobstering, maritime transportation, marine patrol, and other ocean-related fields.

The Natural/Land Resources Enterprise Scholarship
For students interested in natural resource management, environmental science, forestry, logging, agriculture, game warden, outdoor recreation

The Public & Civil Service Scholarship
For students interested in government, military, protective services, police, fire protection, and community leadership

The Business Enterprise Scholarship
For students interested in taking whatever their interest may be and turning it into a business venture.